Thoughts from the last pagan Emperor
I recently came across a statement, in a book I am reading, which caused me pause. This statement was accredited to a former Roman Emperor, Julian the Apostate. The source did not catch my attention, the statement did not make some life altering hypothesis, or come across as some supernatural insight, but the observation this Emperor made was fascinating. I wasn’t sure if I read what I had just processed in my brain. Here is what Julian stated during his reign as Emperor (361 – 363).
“Atheism [Christianity] has been specially advanced through the loving service rendered to strangers, and through their care of the burial of the dead. It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help that we should render them.”
Roman Emperor Julian
Wow, this statement was made by the last pagan Roman Emperor about the early day Christians. I was troubled by this statement, because it hit me that the same could not be said about the Church, today. How far have we come; only backwards, I would contend? Then it hit me, could someone say this about me, sadly the answer is no. This Emperor opposed Christianity and this was his observation about his opponent. He grew up Christian and converted to paganism and removed much of the Christian influence and power from the Roman Government.
I am not sure about you, but this convicts me.
Posted in Ramblings
